First Show In March In Melbourne, FL

The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command F-22 Raptor demonstration has released their 2015 air show schedule, with the first performance set for the Melbourne, FL Air & Space show held at Melbourne International Airport March 21-22. The performance will kick off a season that will have the F-22 flying or on display at air shows and open houses coast-to-coast, as well as two international appearances.

The Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team, based at Langley Air Force Base near Norfolk, VA, performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the world's only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The team also teams up with Air Force Heritage flight exhibiting the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft.

According to the official Air Force fact sheet on the airplane, the F-22, a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats attempting to deny access to our nation's Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.

A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before being detected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor fusion improve the pilot's situational awareness.

For a complete list of show dates, check out the FMI link below.

(USAF Images)

FMI: http://newpreview.afnews.af.mil/acc/aerialevents/f22a/f-22demoschedule.asp